Confirmed: Simon Cowell to Leave American Idol

Earlier today, Randy Jackson said he hopes the American Idol focus soon shifts from the judging table to the singing stage.

That may be difficult after today's announcement: Simon Cowell has confirmed that he's leaving the series after this season.

At a gathering of the country's TV critics in California, Cowell said he's bringing his popular UK show The X Factor to the United States in 2011.

“We did talk about me staying on both shows, but when we looked at the practicalities of that, it was impossible,” Cowell said. “In my opinion, it’s like having a good player and a good football team. The two have to be okay together. I believe it’s not my show, but it’s still very close to me... I’m confident [American Idol] will continue to be the No. 1 show. Everyone is committed to keeping it that way.”

The X Factor is almost identical to Idol, except that groups are allowed to enter the singing competition and there's no age limit on contestants. Leona Lewis was crowned its champion one season, launching her successful career.